A/N: Hellooooo everybody! I know I haven't updated in… 5 months. Oops. I sincerely apologize. College started off all crazy and never settled down. Then, while procrastinating on my music theory homework I finally realized I had somewhere to go with this chapter! Funny, right? Sorry to keep you waiting… I hope it doesn't disappoint too much! Hugs, ~L :]

Kate Beckett woke to see the early dawn break through her window. Her alarm clock had not yet buzzed and she reveled in the few moments she had to herself before the sound would bring the real world crashing onto her shoulders.

He had said it.

Those three words. The three words that still changed everything, despite the fact that there was already so much between them.

And now he was pressed against her back, arms wrapped around her waist. She smiled, turning her face into her pillow and wondering if he knew she had heard his admission.

Her eyes flicked back to her clock just in time to see the digits turn to 6:01 and the alarm start buzzing. She felt Castle's arm instinctively tighten, then release, as he rolled onto his back, groaning. After he released her she reached to her clock and hit the snooze, something she rarely did.

Resting on her elbows and rotating her head to see him, her smile became even bigger. "Good morning, Castle." Rick, her mind said.

The only reply she received was him pulling the covers off of her and rolling onto his other side, grumbling.

Kate giggled slightly and moved closer, hugging him from behind. His arms soon covered hers and she felt him stroking her thumb gently. He didn't say anything, prompting Kate to blow gently on the back of his neck. He tensed up and released her hand to swat playfully at her head. Kate could no longer suppress her laughter and chuckled outright at the gesture.

She released him as he twisted himself to face her, his eyes an intense dark blue. "Is there something I can help you with, Detective?"

Kate bit her bottom lip as her eyes met his. He seemed to stare into the very core of her, allowing her to lay bare all of her worries, hopes, fears, and regrets without saying a word. His hand moved to cover her cheek and he brushed the pad of his thumb over her lips, still holding her stare. "Rick, I…"

The alarm blared but the two of them ignored it as he leaned in closer, touching her lips with an open-mouthed kiss. His hand on her cheek moved back slightly to grip her hair, holding her to him even though she couldn't have pulled away if she wanted to. The kiss was slow and tender, juxtaposed by Kate's nails finding purchase on his back. She felt him chuckle as she pushed him back and pulling herself on top of him.

She was still wearing her dress from the night before; he still wore his dress shirt and boxers. She kissed him more urgently, more passionately, and whimpered in protest when he didn't return her fervent kisses. Pulling back to look down on him, Kate sighed. "Rick, why won't-"

"Kate." Her name on his lips caused her to stop mid-sentence and look into his eyes. "Kate, I said I would wine and dine you, but that doesn't mean we sleep together after the first date."

She opened her mouth again to protest but he silenced her with a finger against her lips. "Do not ever think for a moment that it is you. You are so beautiful, so perfect, and I am afraid of messing up. I have never wanted anything to work as much as I have wanted this relationship to. I would never be able to live with myself if I screwed this up."

Kate stared down at him for a moment more before sliding off of him and shutting off the alarm. She didn't say anything as she sat on the edge of the bed, her back to him. When she spoke, her voice was soft. "I heard what you said last night."

Rick didn't say anything, but she felt his hands grasp her waist and pull her towards him. She laid her head on his chest and closed her eyes, feeling grounded by the smooth fabric of his shirt under her cheek. Every instinct in her body was telling her to run, to get as far away from him as possible. She didn't want commitment! He had already peeled so many layers of her back she couldn't help but have thoughts of fleeing. No one had ever stuck around long enough to climb ladders over the walls she made or build her trust enough to put her life in their hands. How did this happen?

She felt Rick run his fingers through her hair, making her squeeze her eyes shut even tighter. She loved this, what they had, but she had too many fears to think straight. He already said the 3 hardest words to say… why can't you at least meet him halfway? Her mind reasoned. Because love is messy and scary and… Her heart argued, but she had already made her decision.

She opened her eyes to see Rick staring at her intently, as though trying to discern what went on in her mind. He stayed quiet, though, something she appreciated greatly.

"Do you have any writing to do today? I was thinking we could go out and get breakfast, go take a walk in Central Park, go to a museum…"

A grin spread over Rick's face and she knew he understood that she was attempting to build a bridge, and indeed, meet him halfway. "No writing… I am following you for research, and I haven't been able to research such a domestic side of Nikki." He raised his eyebrow, smirking. "As soon as you release me, Detective, I shall go home and change…it's always best to please the muse."

Kate swatted him on the chest and rolled off him once more. She couldn't help but laugh as he pretended to model for her while walking around trying to find his pants. She also couldn't help but smile as he kissed her on the forehead. "You are aware that the only reason I picked a restaurant so far away was so I could feel you up the entire ride back, correct?" Kate pushed his chest away and told him he could show himself out. She heard his chuckles reverberate through her apartment until she heard the door close. Running her fingers through her hair, her smile grew as she thought about last night and wondered how she would finally tell Lanie about her and writer-boy.

Winter break is coming soon, so hopefully I will be able to update during those 3 weeks… Not so sure about the next couple of days, though. Finals and juries are coming, making me extremely busy!

Loved it? Hated it? I would love to hear some feedback about this story! I do realize this may be slightly OOC for Beckett, but hopefully my writing gears will be dusted off by the next chapter… Until next time, ladies and gents! :]